Andrew J. Metzger, age 89, of the town of Jackson, was born to eternal life on Sunday, May 6, 2007 surrounded by his loving family at the Kathy Hospice in the town of Polk.
Andy was born on March 23, 1918 in West Bend to the late Henry and Elizabeth (nee Pfeiffer) Metzger. Andy had an entrepreneurial spirit at a very early age. In the 1940's he and his brother went into business together and built the Brown Deer Lanes bowling alley. A short time later Andy began a new business with his brothers and sister called Metzger Machine and Engineering Company, where they manufactured Sportsman boat trailers and Thermo-Flow heating and Air conditioning units. Andy's greatest business venture came in the 1970's when he began a business called Desert Aire Corporation, which manufactured Industrial Dehumidifiers.
The Metzger family was also very generous and donated over 100 acres of land in Wautoma, in memory of Andy's deceased brother Phillip to be used for a children's camp called Camp Phillip. Andy was an avid reader and was also passionate about hunting, especially in Alaska. Andy also was a serious collector of antique firearms. He belonged to Germantown Sportsman club, Saukville Gun Club, Safari Club International and was an active lifetime member of the NRA. Andy was also one of the last surviving emeritus founding members of the Blue Ribbon camp. He was a devoted member of Trinity Ev. Lutheran Church on Pleasant Valley Road.
Andy is survived by his beloved wife, Cheri; and his two cherished children, David Andrew Sr. (Deidre) Metzger and Deborah Lynn (Andrew) Metzger-Hadler; and his precious grandchildren, David Andrew Jr. and Dainen Alexander Metzger, and Dan (Kari) Harrington. He is further survived by his two brothers, John, and Martin (Ruth) Metzger; a sister, Ann Metzger; parents-in-law, Salvatore and Barbara; his brothers-in-law, David (Carol), Jeffery (Toni); nieces, nephews, and many other dear relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers, Henry (Viola), George (LaRose), Peter (Gloria) and Phillip (Doris) Metzger; and a sister-in-law Ruth Metzger.
A funeral service in celebration of Andy's life will be held on Thursday, May 10, at 7:00 pm at the Myrhum-Patten Funeral Home in West Bend. Rev. Kenneth Schmidt will officiate. Visitation with the family will be held on Thursday at the funeral home from 4:00 pm until the time of service at 7:00 pm.
Memorials to the Kathy Hospice (262) 836-7130 (3232 Pleasant Valley Road, West Bend, WI 53095) would be greatly appreciated by the family.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Peter Cornelius and his staff as well as the staff at Kathy Hospice for all of the tender care that was given to Andy and his family.